Page 76 of Cheap Shot

I shook my head. “Okay, and?”

He sucked in a breath, looking as frustrated as I felt. “You deserve better than that! He can’t give you everything a boyfriend should. I don’t want you to go through that. It can only end in heartache.”

It finally clicked. Everything he’d been grumbling about since the second I moved here. His threats to his teammates and his constant warnings. He wasn’t thinking about me at all. This was all to do with him. And his ex-girlfriend.

I wanted to scream. How did I not see this sooner?

“Ethan! I’m not Kennedy. Reid isn’t you!” I fisted my hands, ready to wrestle him to the ground and pummel him like I used to when we were kids and got into fights.

His eyes darkened, and he took a step toward me. “That’s what you think now. Reid is somehow different. He will be able to do better than I did, be better than I was. How? I know exactly how this is going to go. I lived it, Haley! I know how this ends, and I refuse to let it happen.”

“We’re not the same.”

“Exactly! It’s worse because it’s his senior year. Scouts are looking at us. This is the most important year of his life. That should be reason enough for you to stay away. He can’t be the boyfriend you deserve. He’s already been playing worse than normal lately, and you want to add onto his distraction right now?”

His last words made me immediately sick to my stomach.

That hadn’t crossed my mind. I thought of all the reasons Ethan might throw at me, all the reasons why Reid was wrong for me, but I never once consider why I might be wrong for him.

He sighed and reached for me, but I pulled away. “Haley, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a jerk. I hate being the bad guy, but neither of you is thinking clearly.”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn't even think clearly. I was so stupid. How could I be so self-centered? I should have realized how this would affect Reid.

As much as it absolutely killed me to admit, Ethan was right.

“I’m falling for him.” I whispered the words I’d only allowed myself to think. I had to get them out now. I had to let it all out. “He’s everything I told myself to stay away from while also being everything I could ever want. He’s kind, patient, compassionate, driven, and he makes me feel utterly adored. He accepts me even though I’m a complete mess.” I bit my lip as my eyes started to burn. “How am I supposed to let him go?”

He dropped his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Haley. I never wanted you to get hurt. Maybe if I’d been around more, I could have stopped this.”

I didn’t have words. I didn’t know what to do. My heart was breaking with each beat.

All I wanted was to see Reid and have him tell me everything would be all right, but I couldn’t. I had to be the strong one. I had to tell him we were done before we ever really started.

“I need to talk to him,” I whispered.

“Do you want me to wait with you? He should be out soon.”

“No. I want a second to gather my thoughts before I see him.”

He nodded and gave me a quick hug before releasing me. “Call me if you need me. I promise I’ll answer.”

I gave him a small wave then turned back to face the door. Most of the guys had already left, so Reid must have got caught up with one of the coaches or something. I wasn’t in any rush to have this conversation, but I was grateful we’d at least have privacy out here. I didn’t want to go back to my room or his. That would be too hard. Being out in public would force me to keep my emotions in check. Being in an enclosed space where he could comfort me or talk me out of my thoughts was dangerous.

I reached into my back pocket to check the time on my phone when arms wrapped around my waist and swung me around. I giggled, thinking Reid managed to sneak up on me until I inhaled and realized it wasn’t him.

The smell of sandalwood and musk hit me along with memories of the night at the costume party.

Jay.

“There you are, pretty girl,” he whispered into my ear while he dragged me around the corner of the building.

My body finally reacted and I opened my mouth to scream, but his clammy hand slapped me, blocking me from making a sound.

I swallowed and glanced around, looking for help, but he took us to a secluded area with no one in sight.

“If I’d known you were waiting for me, I would have come out sooner.” He spun me, slamming me into the brick. My head collided with the wall, and my vision went black for a second before I could blink away the haze. “My dorm is one building over, though. I almost missed you, but don’t worry, I’m here now.” He licked up the column of my throat.

I tried to kick him, but he tsked and stepped forward so his legs were between mine and his body was pressed against me.